Explore every episode of the podcast The Mountain Dude Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200" BUCKS AND LIGHTNING STRIKES | 10 Jun 2025 | 01:16:57 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, filmmaker and backcountry hunter Martin Chagnovich shares the story behind his film Chasing 200, which documents his years-long pursuit of a 200-inch mule deer buck in the rugged Utah mountains. The conversation explores Martin’s roots in hunting, growing up in a hunting family, and turning his outdoor passion into a full-time career through storytelling and content creation. He discusses the discipline, sacrifice, and emotional weight behind the hunt, emphasizing that true success comes from relentless persistence, self-motivation, and respect for the animal. Martin recounts the highs and lows of the hunt featured in Chasing 200, including scouting over 30 locations, enduring harsh weather, and finally harvesting the buck while self-filming the experience. He also touches on earlier films like The Art of the Film, his gear preferences (favoring the IA5K and Cub from Initial Ascent), and the broader life lessons hunting has taught him. More than just a kill story, Martin hopes his work inspires others to deepen their passion for wildlife, appreciate the process, and chase growth both in the field and in life. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Laying the Foundation: Welcome to the Mountain Dude Podcast | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:12:45 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this kickoff episode, host Chris Young along with the Initial Ascent owners Joe Elliston and Dennis Stokes gather around the table to set the stage for something bigger than gear talk or hunting stories (though you’ll get plenty of both). This podcast is about diving deep into faith, failure, triumph, and the relentless pursuit of becoming better men, hunters, fathers, and leaders.
Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| GIANT IDAHO BEARS with Chris Young | 17 Jun 2025 | 01:06:29 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, our host Chris Young shares the full story of his 2025 Idaho spring bear hunt. From rivers crossed with pack rafts to glassing for days in high mountain wind, this conversation captures the highs, lows, and lessons of a truly special backcountry experience. Along the way, Chris reflects on the power of sticking it out until the last light—and how faith, friendship, and a relentless drive led to the harvest of a giant boar. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| They've Killed Over 20 wolves! Justin and Kate Small | 24 Jun 2025 | 01:09:31 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! Justin and Kate Small, two of the best predator hunters on the planet, share their expertise on wolf hunting tactics that can make you a more effective hunter. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Dan Whitmus Stabbed Himself in Alaska and SURVIVED! | 01 Jul 2025 | 01:01:49 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with legendary hunting guide Dan Whitmus, a man who’s lived over 30 years in the wilderness guiding hunters through Alaska, Africa, New Zealand, and the American West. Dan shares jaw-dropping stories, including surviving a self-inflicted knife wound deep in the bush, 300+ pound solo packouts, close calls with grizzlies, and the spiritual journey of chasing sheep and wolves across some of the most remote country on Earth. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| The Hollywood Cameraman: Clint Easley | 08 Jul 2025 | 01:04:35 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with Clint Easley, a former architect to the stars turned full-time filmmaker and mountain hunter. From designing homes for Hollywood elites to filming in the remote wilds of Alaska, Clint’s story is one of bold transitions, relentless creativity, and a calling to something deeper. This conversation is packed with humor, grit, and insight into how passion and purpose can intersect through faith and hard work. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Gear Talk Pt 1: Basecamp vs Backpack Hunting | Backcountry Nutrition, Gear Tips | 15 Jul 2025 | 01:13:36 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we dive deep into the backcountry, from the comfort of basecamp hunts to the grind of true backpack-style missions. We swap personal hunting stories, break down gear essentials like backcountry chairs, and talk about how to balance comfort and pack weight when you're miles deep. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Gear Talk Pt 2: Clothing Systems & the Merino vs Synthetic Debate | 22 Jul 2025 | 01:15:42 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of Gear Talk, we go deep into clothing systems for backcountry hunting. From the hot debate of Merino wool vs synthetic base layers to how to layer effectively without overpacking, this is your ultimate breakdown of what to wear, when, and why. Whether you’re prepping for spring bear or late-season elk, this episode is packed with field-tested insight and hard-earned gear wisdom. Be warned, you may walk away adding a few items to your cart. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Elk Every Year: Zach Bowhay’s Secrets to Long-Term Success in the West | 04 Aug 2025 | 01:00:44 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! Zach Bowhay is one of the most consistently successful elk hunters in the West. In this episode, he joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to break down what it really takes to fill tags year after year—without relying on hype, gimmicks, or lucky draws. From generational hunting knowledge to mental toughness, Zach shares the mindset and strategies that have kept him punching tags across multiple states for decades. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Burning Beds, Backcountry Demons & Bowhunting Elk with Nate Illingsworth | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:04:51 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this raw and hilarious episode, Nate Illingsworth joins the Mountain Dude Podcast to share his insane journey—from nearly burning down his house mid-romance to losing 80 pounds and tackling backcountry elk hunts head-on. Nate opens up about fitness, faith, mental resilience, and the power of doing hard things—all with a wild twist of humor and honesty. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Elk Calling Tactics, Hunting Lessons, and Real-life Challenges: Cody McCarthy | 19 Aug 2025 | 01:17:07 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of The Mountain Dude Podcast, we sit down with Cody McCarthy—elk caller, Slayer Calls pro, and man of faith—to hear his incredible journey from killing his first bull at 12 years old to becoming one of the most respected voices in the elk hunting world. Cody shares raw, emotional stories from his early hunts with family, lessons learned from football and overcoming major health challenges, and how faith has shaped every step of his life. We dive into elk calling tactics for early, mid, and late season, complete with live demos and practical tips you can replay on the road to elk camp. Cody also opens up about family, conservation, humility in the hunting industry, and the importance of doing hard things the right way. Whether you’re new to elk hunting or chasing your next big bull, this episode is packed with wisdom, motivation, and strategies you can take straight to the field. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| The Legend of The Bugler: Dirk Durham | 12 Aug 2025 | 01:32:28 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we're joined by none other than Dirk Durham, aka The Bugler, a backcountry legend and one of the most respected elk callers in the game. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| The E-scouting Guru and the Secrets to Elk Hunting Success: Mark Livesay | 26 Aug 2025 | 01:18:35 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! On this episode of the Mountain Dude Podcast, we’re joined by none other than Mark Livesay—the E-Scouting Master behind TreeLine Academy and one of the most respected educators in the elk hunting world. Mark has spent decades refining his system for digital scouting elk hunting areas and has taught thousands of hunters how to create detailed hunt plans before they ever set foot in the mountains. We dive into Mark’s journey from pouring over topo maps to becoming one of the leading voices in e-scouting, elk hunting strategy, and hunt planning. He shares how technology like Google Earth, OnX Maps, and his own toolkits can give hunters an edge, but also why mental preparation, grit, and perseverance are just as important as any map or waypoint. Topics we cover in this episode include: ● How to break down new country using e-scouting for elk hunting ● The importance of creating Plan A, B, C (and beyond) for every hunt ● Why llamas are game-changing pack animals for backcountry hunters ● The mental spiral: how mindset often makes or breaks a hunt ● Tips for rifle and archery elk hunters ● Why surrounding yourself with tougher hunting partners leads to growth ● Mark’s philosophy on never quitting early and how faith guides his approach to hunting and life Mark also shares personal stories about 36+ years of elk hunting, running llamas in the backcountry, and how stepping into new terrain every season has sharpened his skills. Whether you’re prepping for archery elk season, looking to up your digital scouting game, or just want to learn from one of the most knowledgeable elk hunters alive, this episode is full of wisdom and practical takeaways. Learn more at TreeLine Academy Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Training, Faith & 40+ Packouts a Year: "Hollywood" Dave Beronio | 02 Sep 2025 | 01:04:30 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! In this episode, we sit down with “Hollywood” Dave Beronio, elite athlete, guide, packout machine, and wedding officiant with over 1,500 ceremonies under his belt. From the ski slopes of Lake Tahoe to hauling 50 animals a year off Utah’s peaks, Dave’s story is one of relentless drive and intentional living. He opens up about the training and nutrition that keep him going year-round, the spiritual mindset that guides his every step, and the iconic "Beronio Packout" method that’s changing the way hunters carry heavy loads in the backcountry. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||
| Why Most Hunters Quit Early (And How to Push Through): Chris Young | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:44:03 | |
Got questions? Send us a text! Welcome back to the Mountain Dude Podcast by Initial Ascent. In this solo episode, host Chris Young dives deep into the one factor that separates successful hunters from those who come home empty-handed: mental toughness. Subscribe and join the journey. New episodes dropping weekly. Want to watch the episode on YouTube: Click here. | |||